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Data Starter: Gini coefficient before and after tax in selected countries

Elizabeth Veal

31st October 2025

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To what extent have tax and benefit systems redistributed income over time?

Using the chart from OurWorldinData answer these questions:

  1. Out of the USA, UK, Germany and Canada, which country has experienced the largest redistribution of income between 1973 & 2020? And which country had the smallest in 1973 & 2020?
  2. Using the data, compare the level of income inequality before tax in the four selected countries.

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Elizabeth Veal

Liz has taught Economics for over 25 years, including several years as Head of Economics at leading schools.

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